ма́впа
mávpafeminine
The Ukrainian word for monkey is ма́впа (mávpa).
ма́впа is the general term used to refer to a primate. If you are specifically referring to chimpanzees, the term Симпанзе should be used instead.
Meaning: primate (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ма́впа is the standard noun, Мавпочка and Мавпуся are used when expressing endearment or affection. Симпанзе is used specifically for the chimpanzee species rather than monkeys in general.
How does it change in a sentence?
ма́впа is a feminine noun. The plural form is ма́впи, and the accusative singular form is ма́впу.
How do you pronounce it?
mávpa
Did you know?
- The diminutive form Мавпуся is frequently used as a pet name for romantic partners or children, regardless of whether they actually resemble a primate.
- Ukrainian has a specific word for a 'monkey-like' person, мавпувати, which means to mimic or ape someone's behavior in a mocking way.
- When translating the English concept of 'monkey business', a direct translation using ма́впа would not convey the meaning of mischief to a Ukrainian speaker.
Examples in context
- У Зоопарку багато різних видів мавп.The zoo has many different species of monkeys.
- Завтра підемо до цирку, де є представлення з мавпочками.Tomorrow, let's go to the circus to see the show with the monkeys.
- Ця ма́впа дуже розумна.Tsya mavpa duzhe rozumna.This monkey is very smart.
- У зоопарку живе велика ма́впа.U zooparqu zhyve velyka mavpa.A large monkey lives in the zoo.
Example conversation
Oleksandr and Olena are looking at animals in a zoo.
- Олександр OleksandrДивись, Олено, яка там ма́впа!Dyvys, Oleno, yaka tam mavpa!Look, Olena, what a monkey is there!
- Олена OlenaВона дуже спритна, Олександре.Vona duzhe sprytna, Oleksandre.She is very agile, Oleksandr.
- Олександр OleksandrВона стрибає дуже високо.Vona strybaie duzhe vysoko.She jumps very high.
- Олена OlenaМені подобається ця ма́впа.Meni podobaietsia tsi mavpa.I like this monkey.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monkey” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
